Jewlz: Scared of the withdrawal process

[Jewlz]

Coming up on a new year and I'm ready to continue my taper from duloxetine. I went from 90 to 80mg in April of this year (2018) and have been holding at 80mg since. My question now is replacing the duloxetine with citalopram or escitalopram. The reasoning in back of this thought is both citalopram and escitalopram have a longer half life than duloxetine, have lower doses available and liquid form too. I realize there are different methods of actions between SNRI's and SSRI's and I'm not clear on any type of negative side effects because of this. Can someone help me understand, please? 

[ChessieCat]

It is generally best to stay on the drug you are taking because you can get withdrawal from the old drug and/or start up/side effects/bad reaction to the new drug.  You won't know what is causing any issues.

 

However, some drugs are more difficult to taper.  Some members do a bridge/switch to Prozac.

 

See this topic:  The Prozac switch or "bridging" with Prozac

 

And there is information about this in Post #1 of this topic: 

 

 

[Jewlz]

Jewlz-checking in.

 

I think things are going well for me and then they aren't. Recently I find myself depressed, no passion to get things done like laundry. Which I can deal with for now. I'm sleeping a lot. Yesterday over 12 hours! What the heck is that about? My circadian rhythm is topsy-turvy. It's time for me to start looking for full time work as I graduate in May with a 2 year HIM degree and will become certified during the summer. That scares me because I want to move forward with this tapering business but know that I won't be at the top of my game-so frustrating. It's almost 1 year since i dropped 90mg duloxetine to 80mg. Next drop should be 72mg. I have all the equipment to count beads, but you know I don't really want to have to do that! There are about 4 compounding pharmacies in my area that I'm reaching out to one at a time. Hopefully something will work for me there. My vision is still blurry, seeing stars but not all at once, like I blink and there's one, from being tired? Constant white noise in my ears and my stomach hurts when I put food on it (IBS?) so I need to narrow down the culprit, although I'm not eating well. Even with good food in the house These all seem like w/d symptoms, but I'm still taking the meds. Has anyone every done an inpatient rehab stint to come off duloxetine? I'm growing so impatient and just want to get this done and off my list, even when I know it's not that easy. Apologies to anyone who I may not have responded to while I dropped off the radar. 

[ChessieCat]

5 hours ago, Jewlz said:

There are about 4 compounding pharmacies in my area that I'm reaching out to one at a time.

 

If you cannot find a pharmacist who will compound your drug I suggest you contact PCCA - Professional Compounding Centers of America (email below).  Or you could ask the compounding pharmacy to contact the compounding association.

 

Subject:   ATTN:  Clinical Compounding Pharmacist

 

customerserviceexternal AT SYMBOL pccarx DOT com

[ChessieCat]

5 hours ago, Jewlz said:

Has anyone every done an inpatient rehab stint to come off duloxetine? 

 

Inpatient rehabs would try to get you off too quickly and may introduce/swap drugs.  They may not have follow up.

 

inpatient-center-clinic-or-retreat-for-detox-rehab-recovery

[Jewlz]

Hi Chessie Cat-thank you for the compounding information and the status of IP rehab for duloxetine discontinuation. It's sad to me that there is nothing available to help folks damaged by these drugs.

[Jewlz]

Hello-I'm feeling a little disappointed because I thought I posted on my intro page a couple of days ago, but I don't see it. That's okay though. In that post I wrote about finding a new psychiatrist who on the first visit did not hesitate to start a taper with me. Note: it's not the conventional w/d process as outlined here, but it is low and slow and will incorporate a prozac bridge if necessary. I am feeling good, some GI issues but very minimal with pretty severe heartburn but I am able to control it, so that's a positive. I'm feeling a lot of relief so far in the w/d process that my w/d has not been a bumpy road. I hope it continues that way. If not, I know I have the support of my psychiatrist and I'm also utilizng talk therapy which is going to be helpful too. That's all for now. Thanks for your support-Jewlz

[Miko789]

On 11/15/2017 at 7:35 PM, Jewlz said:

I'm a newbie here and still learning the ropes. 

 

Has anyone ever heard of the periodical/book titled "The Road Back?" I found it a couple of years ago when I was considering a taper off cymbalta which I never started. Anyway, the info in the book seems helpful. They talk about using nutritional supplements that they've personally formulated that cost quite a bit. I'm scared out of my mind about the withdrawal from cymbalta and this book makes it sound like their supplements go a long way in helping to relieve the tapering process.

 

Are there supplements that perhaps someone else has used in their tapering process?

 

Thanks.

 

 The gold standard Omega 3 fish oil together with magnesium caps and turmeric with piperine.

 

take care

[Giulietta]

Hello Miko. I'm a newbie, figuring the site out, and tapering since December 2018. I have heard of the book but have not read it. I am using Fish Oil Omega--3 (EPA and DHA) 1200 mg once per day - which I have been using for years. I don't know if if helps reduce my symptoms or not. One thing I will add is the magnesium citrate - starting at a low dose 25 mg. I have yet to get to the pharmacy to purchase some so I can't comment on its efficacy.

 

Learn more about magnesium here:

 

Hang in there!